Since the first lockdown began, we’ve been talking to businesses daily to understand the challenges you are facing and how we, and others, can help.
Canterbury city council has created a handy reopening guide for businesses – please click the image below to download your copy.
Timeline for reopening 2021:
Step 1: 8 March and 29 March
In Step 1, the priority is to ensure that all children and students return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges from 8 March. The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes.
Step 2: April 12
In Step 2, which will be no earlier than 12 April, will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.
Step 3: 17 May
As part of Step 3, no earlier than 17 May, the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances. Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen, including indoor dining, entertainment and attractions.
Step 4: 21 June
By Step 4 which will take place no earlier than 21 June, the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact. The government also hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3.
Canterbury BID’s Recovery Plan
We have adapted the BID Business Plan, so that we can deliver the projects and activities you voted for in the context of this crisis. Here is a summary of Canterbury BID’s activity in 2020. This is reviewed regularly by the Board and adapted to meet the needs of our business community during the Covid crisis.
Pavement vinyls, posters and signage:
In partnership with Canterbury City Council and the Reopening the High Streets Safely project, pavement vinyls, lamp posts signs, high street banners and bollard covers will display safety and welcome information across the city from 12 April. Safety posters will be delivered to businesses from the 12 April along with handy government guidelines for reopening.
We will also welcome visitors back with 2.5 kilometres of bunting (to be replaced by hanging flower baskets in late May), free WiFi and cleaner streets.
Safety messages for staff and customers
Please ensure you have displayed the NHS QR poster if it is a legal obligation for your business. Check if this is relevant to your business HERE.
You can access the Government’s Business Reopening Assets which include:
- Let fresh air social assets (x3 formats)
- Make Space social assets (x3 formats)
- QR Code social assets (x3 formats)
- Outside Dining social assets (x3 formats)
- Social copy
For those of you serving food and drink – please do consider applying for a pavement license. Full details are HERE and you will receive a response within 10 working days.
